Saint Fiacre refusing the crown of Scotland
1818
In this dramatic scene, a humble monk in a dark brown robe calmly rejects a glittering crown offered by a kneeling figure in white and gold. Behind the kneeling man, armored knights and bearded nobles look on with a mix of awe and confusion, while a simple shovel and pitcher lie forgotten in the foreground, hinting at the saint's life of manual labor. Painted in 1818 by François-Louis Dejuinne, this neoclassical piece captures the moment Saint Fiacre, an Irish hermit, refuses the throne of Scotland to remain devoted to his garden and prayers in France. The semi-circular composition draws the eye right to the saint's peaceful refusal amidst the royal fanfare.